Rotary-to-oscillatory motion converter



April 4, 1950 F. A. LANE ROTARY-TO-OSCILLATORY MOTION CONVERTER s Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1947 INVENTOR. FRED A LANE, BY.

MWZW

ATTOFZVEY.

April 4, 1950 F. A LANE ROTARY-TO-OSCILLATORY MOTION CONVERTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 19, 1947 I INVENTOR. FRED A. LANE,

A TTOHMK April 4, 1950 F. A. LANE 2,503,159

ROTARY-TO-OSCILLATORY MOTION CONVERTER mmwmmm I MW Y INVENTOR. x\ I! FFEDA.LflNE,

5 BY: 121 r- ATTORNEY:

Patented Apr. 4, 1950 ROTARYrTO-OSCILLATORY MOTION CONVERTER Fred A. Lane, Shelburn, Ind., assignor to Lane Motors, Inc., Terre Haute, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application April 19, 1947, Serial No. 742.638

The present invention relates to a motion converter, and particularly to a device of that character adapted to convert rotary motion to oscillatory or rocking motion. The invention finds its primary utility in pumping mechanism; and the various forms specifically disclosed herein are so illustrated and will be so described; but it will be obvious that the oscillatory motion, resulting from the action of the disclosed mechanisms, may be applied to any desired function.

Specific objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the vforms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof taken substantially on. the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section therethrough, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, the stem having been rotated through 90 degrees from the position of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, showing the oscillating plate and the stem parts operatively associated therewith, taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a section, similar to the section of Fig. 2, but showing a modified embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section therethrough taken substantially on the line 6-'li of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig; 7 is a fragmental longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line '!--1' of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 5, and showing embodiment of Fig. 9, takensubstantially on the line Ill-Ill of Fig.9 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an insert comprising a feature of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring more particularly to the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, it will be seen that I have shown-a housing formed to provide a cylindrical chamber 2| in which is oscillably mounted a plate -22, diametrically.

7 .Claims. (Cl. 7470) 2 spanning the chamber 2!, and extending from end to end thereof. Preferably, the lateral edges of the plate 22 will carry resilient sealing elements 23 for maintaining a fluid-tight relation between said edges and the internal wall of the chamber 2!. The plate 22 is mounted to oscillate about an axis disposed at the center of the circular cross section of the chamber 2|, and indicated by the reference numeral 24.

The "plate 22 is formed with a central socket 25, opening through one side of the plate. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, said socket comprises an opening extending entirely through the plate, and countersunk, as at 2t,

on the lower face of the'plate, for the reception of a separate element 21', having a flange 28 received in the countersink 26 and suitably" secured in place. The use of the'ele'ment .2! facilitates the provision of a part cylindrical socket 29, arranged upon an axis which, when the parts are assembled, is diametrically related to the chamber 2|. A bushing 30 is oscillably received in said socket 29; and it is to be noted that the axial length of the bushing is slightly less than the length of the socket 29; whereby said bushing may have slight axial movement, as well as rocking movement about its axis, in said socket. The bushing is formed with a transverse bore 3| for a purpose which will later become apparent;

Suitably secured within the chamber 2|, and extending from end to end thereof, is a dam 32 which may be held in place by screws 33, or the like. Resilient sealing means, indicated at 3!, will preferably be provided in the inner, arcuate face 35 of said dam, said face 35 being concentric ith the chamber 2!. An element 36, providing an arcuate outersurface, is suitably carried on the upper face of the plate 22, and constantly engages the face 35 of the dam 32, to provide a liquid-tight seal therebetween.

At' a point diametrically opposite the position of the dam 32, the housing 20 is provided with a port 31 in which is mounted a bearing 38 having a peripheral flange 39 suitably secured to the housing by means of screws 40, or the like. A bushing M 'is carried in said bearing 38 and near its inner endis provided with a flange v42 overlying the inner end of the bearing 38. A stem 43 is journalled in the bushing 4|; and'the arrangement 'issuch that, when the abovedescribed parts-are in place. they provide a-fluidtight seal for the opening-i1.v

Within the. chamber 2!, the stem-'43 is formed toprovideaa head carrying axiinger- 45', of cylindrical cross section, arranged upon an axis angularly related to the axis of the stem 43, and intersecting said axis at the center 24 of the cross section of the chamber 2!, said. finger 45 :being received in .the ,transaxial bore '3! 0f the bushing 30.

In assembling the structure above-described, the bushing 30 is inserted in the bore 29 by axial movement through the open righthand end of said bore. Thereafter, the element 21 is entered in the opening 25 and its flange 28 is secured in place in the countersink 26. The element 36, which may alternatively be integral with the plate 22, is likewise assembled with said plate. Now the plate and its associated parts are entered in the chamber 2| through one end thereof, and the closure heads are mounted upon the housing 20.

Now, the finger 45 and head 44 are introduced intothe chamber 2| through the opening 3! and, by properly tilting the stem, the finger 45 can be introduced into the bore 3|. As the finger 45 finds its seat in said bore, the stem 43 will align itself with the axis of the opening 3'1. Now, the bushing 4| having been assembled with the bearing 38, that assembly is sleeved onto the stem 43 and introduced into the opening 31, whereafter the screws '40 may be seated to hold the assembly '38-'4l in place. Thereafter, a V-pulley 45 may be mounted on the protruding end of the stem 43.

It will be seen that the plate 22, the element 36, and the dam 32 cooperate to divide the chamber 2| into separate, fluid-sealed, variablevolume chambers. An inlet pipe 41 opens into one of said chambers and an inlet pipe 49 opens into the other of said chambers, while an outlet pipe 48 opens into the first of said chambers, being axially spaced from the pipe 41, and an outlet pipe 50. similarly spaced from the pipe 49, opens into the other of said chambers.

It will be obvious upon inspection that, when the stem '43 is rotated about its axis. the coaction of the finger 45 with the bushing 30 will cause the plate 22 to oscillate about the axis of the cylindrical "chamber 2|, while the bushing 30 will be caused to oscillate about its own axis within the socket 29. Oscillation of the plate 22 will oppositely vary the efiective volumes of the two chambers defined between opposite edges of the plate '22 and the dam 32. Thus,-as the plate moves in "a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Fig. 2, fluid will be drawn into the righthand chamber through the inlet pipe 49 and fl-Iuid will be forced out of the l'efthand chamber through the pipe 48. Conversely, as the plate returns to its illustrated position, fluid will be drawn into the lefthand chamber through the pipe 4! and discharged from therighthand chamber through the pipe '50. Of course, suitable check valves will be arranged in the inlet and outlet pipes.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. to '7, the stem with its angularly related finger is held stationary, while the housing in which the plate-receiving chamber is formed, is rotated aboutan axis coincident with the stem axis. In said embodiment, a casing 5| is formed to provide a cylindrical surface 52, the opposite "ends of said casing being closed by removable heads 53 and 54. Journa'lled within said casing and upon saidsurtace 52, for rotation therewithin, is a housing 55 axially provided with a stem 56 journalled "ina bushing 51 mounted Lin 2. central opening 58 in the closure head 54; Said housing :55 is formed to provide a cylindrical chamber '59 whose axis is arranged to intersect perpendicularly the axis of the stem 56 which, of course, is coincident with the axis of rotation of the housing 55.

A plate 60, similar in all respects-to the plate 22, is mounted within the chamber 59 for oscil- .of the chamber 59.

lation about the center 6| of the cross section As in the previously described embodiment, an element 62 centrally carried by the plate receives a bushing 63 for oscillation upon an axis perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the chamber 59, and having a transaxial bore. A dam 64 cooperates with an element 65 in the manner described above in the discussion of the dam 32 and element 35. A stem 65 is mounted upon an axis perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the chamber 59, and is held against rotation relative to the casing 5| by any suitable means, such as a key 5'! engaging said stem and the wall of an opening in the closure head 53 through which said stem projects. Within the chamber 59, the stem is provided with an angularly arranged finger 68 whose axis intersects the stem axis and the axis of the chamber 59 at a common point, said finger being operatively received in the transaxial bore of the bushing 53.

As in the previously described embodiment, the plate 30, the dam 64, and the element 65 cooperate to define two variable-volume chambers 69 and In, fluid sealed from each other. A bore H provides communication between the chamber 69 and the external cylindrical surface of the housing 55, while a bore 12 provides communication between the chamber 19 and the external cylindrical surface of said housing, the mouths of said bores opening through said surface at diametrically opposed points. The casing 5| is internally formed to provide a substantially semicircular groove or channel 13 separated, by a dam 14, from communication with a port but communicating with a port 16; and with a second substantially semi-circular groove or channel H separated by a dam "is from communication with the port 16 but communicating with the port 15. Preferably, the dams l4 and 18 are constructed as illustrated, in order to simplify the machining operation in the production of the grooves 13 and 17. The casing may be formed with a radial opening -89 in which is removably received a stem 19 of the dam 14, and the casing is formed, at a diametrically opposed point with an opening 82 in which is received the similar stem 8| of the dam 18. Obviously, the grooves 13 and ll are axially positioned for registration with the bores 1| and 12.

An extension 83 of the chamber 59 opens through the peripheral surface of the housing 55, and may be closed, after introduction of the plate 60 and its associated parts, by a plug as, held in place by a screw 85, in the manner particularly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

It will be clear from the above description that, if the casing 5| is held against rotation and the housing 55 is rotated, by driving the stem 56, the plate 6|! will be carried with the housing 55 and the coaction of the finger 68 and the bushing 63 will be equivalent to the coaction of the finger 45 and bushing 30 in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. Thus, the plate 6!! will be oscillated about the axis 6| to vary inversely the volumes of the chambers 59 and T0. Either of the ports 15 and 16 :may be an inlet port, and the other will be an outlet port. Assuming that the port (.5 is the inlet port, the housing 55 will be rotated in a clockwise direct-ion, as viewed in Fig. 6. As the parts move from the position illustrated, the bore 12 will pass the dam 14 to come into communication with the channel 1-3, just as the plate 51) begins to swing in a clockwise direction from its position illustrated in Fig. 5. Clockwise movement of said plate will, of course, reduce the effective diameter of the chamber 10, thereby forcing fluid within said chamber to escape through the channel 13 and the port 16. coincidentally, the bore II will be moved into communication with the channel I1 so that, as the volume of the chamber 69 is increased, fluid will be drawn into said chamber through the port I5, channel 11, and bore II. Conversely, as the plate 60 begins to return to its illustrated position, the bore II will pass the dam 14 into communication with the channel I3, and the bore 12 will pass the dam -I8 into communication with the channel 11, so that flow through the bores II and I2 willbe reversed and fiuid will be discharged from the chamber 69 to the port I6 and drawn into the chamber I through the port 15.

In Fig. 8, I have disclosed a modification of the structure illustrated in Figs. to 7, including means for varying the effective stroke of the oscillable plate. In that figure, I have shown a 'casing 90 providing a cylindrical internal surface 9|, together with closure heads 92 and 93. A housing 94 is journalled in the surface 9| and is provided with a stem 95 whose axis is coincident with the axis of rotation of the housing 94.

The housing is formed to provide a cylindrical chamber 96 in which is oscillably mounted a plate 91, similar to the plate 60 in all respects. The ports 98 and 99, similar to ports 'II and 12, communicate with the two variable-volume chambers defined by the plate 91, and with channel sections I00 and IOI corresponding to the channel sections I3 and TI. Ports I02 and I03 correspond to the ports 16 and I5.

In this embodiment of my invention, the closure head 93 is formed with an opening I04 disposed upon an axis angularly inclined to the axis of the stem 95, and meeting said axis at the center I05 of the cross section of the chamber 96. At its inner end, the opening I04 is formed with an enlarged section I06. Said opening receives a bushing I01 in which is journalled a stem I 08 terminating, at its inner end, in a head I09 journalled in the enlargement I06 and formed to define an inclined surface H0. The plane of the surface IIO meets the axis of the stem I08 in an angle complementary to the angle at which the axis of the stem I08 meets the axis of the stem 95. Fixed to said 'head I09 upon an axis normal to said surface I I0 is a finger II I received in a transaxial bore in a bushing H5 mounted in the plate 91 in a manner corresponding to the mounting of the bushing 63 in the plate 60. The axis of said stem III intersects the axis of the bore 96 at the point at which the axes of the stems 95 and I08 intersect said chamber axis.

With the parts in the positions illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 8, the operation of this embodiment of the invention will be identical with the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5. But the stem I08 is provided with a reduced extension II2 upon which is mounted a hand wheel II3 against which engages a set nut I I4 threaded on said extension I I2... Upon slightly loosening said nut II 4, the hand wheel II3 may be moved to shift the stem I08 about its axis, thereby moving the finger III to any desired position between that illustrated in solid lines and that illustrated in the dotted lines in Fig. 8. It will be seen that, when the finger III is in the dotted line position, its axis will coincide with the axis of the stem 95, which is the 0 axis of rotation of the housing 94; and that, when the parts are in such a position, the plate 91 will be held fixedly in its position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. With the parts in such position, relative rotation between the housing 94 and the finger III will not produce any oscillation of the plate 91. Intermediate positions of the finger III will cause relative rotation between the housing 94 and casing 90 to produce varying degrees of oscillation of the plate 91. By this means, the volume of fluid thrown by the illustrated mechanism, upon rotation of the stem 95 at a uniform velocity, may be varied at will between zero and the maximum capacity of the pumping mechanism. It will be clear that the illustrated mechanism may be used to drive a fluid motor, in which case the illustrated mechanism will act as a variable speed transmission.

In Figs. 9 to 11 I have shown still another embodiment of my invention. In that embodiment, a housing I20 is formed to provide a cylindrical chamber I2I in which is mounted a plate I22 for oscillation about the axis I23 of the chamber I2I. A radial opening I24 in said housing is adapted to receive a bearing I25 in which is carried a bushing I28 providing a journal mounting for a stem I29. Within the chamber I2I, said stem carries a head I30 which, in the assembled condition of the parts, is located within the chamber I2I, and terminates in a plane surface I3I inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the stem I29 and to the axis of the chamber I2I. The bearing I25 makes a fluid-tight lit in the'ope'ning I24, and is provided with a peripheral flange I26 penetrated by screws I21 adapted to be threaded into suitable openings in the, housing I20.

The plate I22 is formed with a central aperture I32 in which is received a plug I33 formed to present, for supporting engagement with the surface I3I, a median surface arranged diametrically of the chamber I2I and flanked by upwardly inclined surfaces I34 and I35, projecting upwardly and toward the opposite ends of the chamber I2I, respectively. The median surface, which extends diametrically of the chamber I2I, is so located as always to be in contact with the surface I3I; and, as the head I30 rotates, its outermost portion will successively sweep the surfaces I34 and I35, whereby rotation of said head I30 will result in oscillation of the plate I22 about'the center I23.

Medially, the plug I33 is formed with an arouate slot I30 extending longitudinally of the plate I 22; and a semi-discshaped block I 38 is mounted in said slot for rocking movement therein. Said block I38 is formed with a plane surface I39 always held in sliding engagement with the surface I3I, when the parts are in assembled relation; and as the head I30 rotates, the block I38 will rock, about an axis coincident with the median surface of the plug I33, to preserve an operative contact between the head I30 and the plate I22, the surface I40 opposite the surface I39 slid ing in the arcuate base of the slot I36.

Preferably, the plug I33 is integral with a elongated bar I4l seating in an upper surface of the plate I22 to prevent relative rotation bee tween the parts; and the upper surface of said bar I4I will preferably be arcuate in cross section, as indicated at I02, for sealing engagement with the arcuate face I43 of a dam I44, extending from end to end of the chamber I.2,I and secured in .place in said chamber, diametrically opposite the opening I24, .by means of screws 145, or the like. The plate 122, the bar MI, and the dam M4 cooperate to define fluid-tight separated spaces I46 and M1, variable in volume upon oscillation of the plate 122. I have shown inlet pipes M8 and M9 for the variable-volume chambers, respectively; and it will be recognized, of course, that outlet pipes for said chambers are likewise provided, though they are not shown, the arrangement being similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a housing providing a chamber of substantially circular cross section, a plate received in said chamber for oscillation about .an axis coincident with til the center of such cross section, said plate being formed with an opening therethrough traversing said axis, a member seated in and closing said opening, said member being provided with a part cylindrical seat, open at one end and perpendicularly intersecting said axis when said member is so seated, 'a bushing rockably received in said seat and provided with a cylindrical, transaxial socket, an element mounted upon an axis intersecting said first-named axis and having a cylindrical portion acutely angularly related to said firstnamed axis and received in said socket, and means for producing relative rotation between said element and said housin and plate about the intersection of said element portion with said axis to produce oscillation of said plate about said axis.

2.'In a device of the class described, a housin providing a chamber of substantially circular cross section, a plate received in said chamber for oscillation about an axis coincident with the center of such cross section, said plate being formed with an opening therethrough traversing said axis, a member seated in and closing said opening, said member being provided with a part cylindrical seat, open at one end and perpendicularly intersecting said axis when said member is so seated, a bushing rockably received in said seat and 'provided'with a cylindrical, transaxial socket, a stem associated with said housing and mounted on an axis intersecting said first-named axis, an element disposed in said chamber, supported by said stem, and projecting therefrom in a direction angularly related to the axis of said stem, said element intersecting said first-named axis and being operatively received in said socket to intersect said first-named axis, and means for producing relative rotation between said element and said housing and plate about the point of intersection of said element with said first-named axis.

3. In a device of the class described, a housing providing a chamber of substantiallv circular cross section, a plate received in said chamber for oscillation about an axis coincident with the center of such cross section, said plate being formed with an opening therethrough traversing said axis, a member seated in and closing said opening, said member being provided with a part cylindrical seat, open atone end and perpendicularly intersecting said axis when said member is so seated, a bushing rockably received in said seatand provided with a cylindrical, transaxial socket, a stem associated with said housing and mounted upon an axis intersecting said firstnamed axis, said stem and housing being mounted for relative rotation about the point of intersection of said axes, and an element carried by said stem and'angularly related to the axis thereof, said element being rotatably received in said socket, said plate and said housing being held against relative rotation about said first-named axis of rotation.

4. In a device of the class described, a housing providing a chamber of substantially circular cross section, a plate received in said chamber for oscillation about an axis coincident with the center of such cross section, a stem mounted upon an axis perpendicular to said first-named axis and entering said chamber, said stem and said housing being associated for relative rotation, a bushing operatively associated with said plate, said bushing being rockable relative to said plate about an axis perpendicular to said first-named axis and being lineally movable upon said axis, and a finger fixedly associated with said stem, angularly related to said stem axis, and intersecting said first-named axis and said stem axis in a common point, said finger being rotatably associated with said bushing.

,5. In a device of the class described, a housing providing a chamber of substantially circular cross section, a plate received in said chamber for oscillation about an axis coincident with the center of such cross section, a stem mounted upon an axis perpendicular to said first-named axis and entering said chamber, said stem and housing being associated for relative rotation, 21. bushing operatively associated with said plate, said bushing having a transaxial socket therein and being rockable relative to said plate about an axis perpendicular to said first-named axis and being lineally movable upon said axis, and a finger fixedly associated with said stem, angularly related to said stem axis, and intersecting said first-named axis and said stem axis in a common point, said finger being rotatably received in said bushing socket.

6. In a device of the class described, a casing, a housing mounted for rotation in said casing and providing a chamber having a circular cross section whose center lies in the axis of rotation of said housing, a plate mounted in said chamber for oscillation about said center and diametrically spanning said chamber, a stem journalled in said casing upon an axis angularly related to said axis of housing rotation and intersecting the same at said chamber center, a finger eccentrically mounted on said stem upon an axis angularly related to said stem axis and intersecting the same at said chamber center, said finger extending into said chamber, and means providing an operative connection between said finger and said plate whereby rotation of said housing produces oscillation of said plate, the position of said finger axis being shiftable, by rotative adjustment of said stem, between coincidence with said axis of housing rotation and a maximum angularity relative thereto.

'7. The device of claim 6-including a dam projecting into said chamber, means carried by said plate cooperating with said dam to define fluidtightly separated spaces on opposite sides of said dam, and an inlet port and an outlet port for each of said spaces.

FRED A. LANE Name Date Long Dec. 31, 1946 Number 

